My grandma had this Christmas cactus since around the mid 90s. It’s always looked like this since I was a child.(Picture 1) I’m 28 now. She passed 20 years ago and since then my grandpa has been taking care of it. He passed at the end of May and I only rescued it from his house last week. (Picture 2) I gave it plenty of water and it came back well! He would give it about a cup or so of water once a month and it lived in his north facing kitchen window. I repotted it tonight with regular potting soil and tried making some propagations. (Picture 3)The roots were fine and it was hard to get all of the dirt out as they were tangled. I did my best. I have 22 house plants and I’m most nervous for this one. I’m hoping to have it in good shape and maybe growing by Christmas so I can surprise my family as this will be the first holiday without my grandpa. Any advice?
by Scoooter94
6 Comments
Thank you for posting to r/plantclinic!
The subreddit moderation team has implemented a number of new tools to help users both give and receive the best help possible.
Please refer to the pinned post [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/11dfcek/subreddit_moderation_adjustments/)
All posters receive an automod message requesting they supplement their post with basic care details.
This sub is being actively moderated. Please utilize the report functions to call attention to posts and comments that are counter to the mission of the sub.
—
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/plantclinic) if you have any questions or concerns.*
wow! 25 y/o. but yeah, it looks kinda sad. a bit of sun, maybe?
It looks better already!
My mom has a thanksgiving cactus from my grandpa (her dad) who is no longer with us. She was nervous to take care of it, but she’s just mostly careful about watering it. I told her that if something ever goes wrong, she could always take clippings and propagate new, so it’s still a piece of the original. It’s just kinda nice to keep in mind to relieve you of any anxiety regarding it being sentimental
What kind of soil do you have it in?
I believe this may actually be a thanksgiving cactus! Google Easter/Thanksgiving/Christmas Cactus leaf comparisons!
It was definitely neglected. Water when it shows signs of needing water, I’m sure you already know what to look for.
I have had multiple rescues in the last two years, but haven’t had much luck getting them to flower.
Cooler temps, less light and less water are apparently the key- but I’ve only gotten intermittent flowering with this approach.
This year I took fertilization during the growing months more seriously, so I’m hoping for a better result.
I think you’re on the right road!
In a pot with a drainage hole. Let the soil dry out in between waterings and a summer on the porch will do wonders for it. Mine go out every year, frost to frost and grow like crazy. They only flower on new leaves and mine flower like crazy in between thanks giving and Christmas. Which means know one believes me!
It looks a lot better! You are on the right track. Try not to fuss with it too much more. Plants like to be left alone most of the time and don’t like a lot of changes.
I see some leaves are still purple/red – that can mean too much light. Watch to see if they stay the same or fade -then it is ok, but if you see more sun stress reduce the direct light.